Tokyo 2020: PV Sindhu conquers a place in semi-final defeating Akane Yamaguchi
PV Sindhu is one more win away from ensuring a second consecutive Olympic medal. She defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi by 21-13, 22-20 with her stunning badminton skills.

PV Sindhu, the finalist of the Rio Olympics 2016, marches into the semi-final of the women's singles badminton competition in the Tokyo Olympics. She defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi by 21-13, 22-20 with her stunning badminton skills. She is one more win away from ensuring a second consecutive Olympic medal.
PHEW! ????@Pvsindhu1 making Indian hearts race faster than @usainbolt at the #Olympics! ????????#Tokyo2020 | #BestOfTokyo | #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/K1U9sfhDfC
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 30, 2021
In the first game, Sindhu required only 23 minutes to take the match from the opponent's hand. The match ended after 56 minutes long affair, as Yamaguchi made a great comeback in the second game. The Japan shuttler came back from 8-14 to rush into the lead. Yamaguchi was quick on her feet, covering the court, and raced to an early lead in the first game with her defense shots. Sindhu recovered later by making her opponent work hard for each point.
A game of strong smashes and long rallies ????????
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 30, 2021
PV Sindhu won a hard-fought contest against #JPN's Akane Yamaguchi 21-13, 22-20 setting up a semi-final date! #IND#Tokyo2020 | #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion | @Pvsindhu1 pic.twitter.com/P9YU5NOCQx
Sindhu made good use of her reach to nullify the drop shots of Yamaguchi. The Indian shuttler raced to a 14-9 lead, but she missed the smash provided by Yamaguchi a chance to make a comeback. Sindhu didn't give up to keep her lead intact. Sindhu, with her relentless attack, raced to an 18-11 lead. Yamaguchi's great defense made difficult to gain point in a rally but, Indian shuttler came back strong and won the first game by 21-13.
Yamaguchi gave her best and made a head-to-head score with PV Sindhu in the second game. Both players tied on 20-20 as Japan's shuttler gave a tough fight to Sindhu after coming back in the game with a score of 15-14 direct from 14-8. Sindhu gave her best to save two game points and reached her second straight semi-final at the Olympics.